Key parameters controlling strength and resilient modulus of a stabilised dispersive soil

Abstract

Dispersive clays are seen as problematic geomaterials due to their structural instability associated to the presence of high amounts of sodium adsorbed to the clay minerals. Thus, such soils are prone to deflocculate in the presence of water, having the potential to cause severe damage to man-made structures. Generally, the replacement of the weakly adhered sodium cations by calcium ions through the usage of lime is effective to cease the dispersivity potential. Yet, little is known concerning the resilient modulus response of lime stabilised dispersive soils for pavement applications. Present research intends to address this gap by conducting unconfined compressive strength tests and resilient modulus tests on a dispersive soil from the Paraguayan Chaco stabilised with hydrated lime. The results of both the strength and the stiffness tests could be successfully correlated to the adjusted porosity/lime index, resulting in power-type relationships, which is the major novelty of present research.